Total burnout: Why It’s Time for Therapy

We’re living in uncertain times. That’s a phrase that gets thrown around a lot lately. But, it’s also one that rings true for many individuals. We’ve been in a pandemic for two years, the economy is struggling, there’s social unrest in different areas of the country, and most people’s lives have been flipped upside down in some way.

On top of that, you might be struggling with things like remote work for the first time. Or, maybe your kids are still doing virtual learning. And, just because so much about life seems “up in the air”, it doesn’t mean other everyday problems go away. People are still dealing with everything from relationship issues to stress at work.

If any of this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing total burnout. Thankfully, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep feeling this way. Therapy is one of the best solutions.

Understanding Your Exhaustion

Some of the symptoms of burnout include a loss of motivation, feelings of helplessness, and a detached feeling from the world. Most people associate burnout with work, and that can play a big role in how you feel. But, you can also experience burnout from trying to shoulder too much when it comes to life, in general. When you pile so many things on, it’s hard to start picking apart the pieces on your own. Everything tends to blend together, so you’re not sure what’s causing such stress and exhaustion.

A therapist can help you figure those things out. One of the best things about therapy is that it breaks down the root cause(s) of whatever is troubling you. For people who have been through traumatic experiences, therapy uncovers the source. For those with anxiety or depression, therapy is a way to find what’s triggering those feelings. The same goes for anyone experiencing burnout.

You might have a general idea of what’s piling on more stress, but until you break down those pieces and discuss the bigger issues, you’ll never be able to work through them. Not only will therapy help you discover those issues, but you’ll have someone there to guide you through the talking points and make discussing them easier.

Learning to Manage Your Stress

Often, something as simple as “clearing the air” can make a big difference in how you feel. Once you have a better understanding of what’s causing your overwhelming feelings, the burden you’ve been dealing with is lighter. But, that’s not where the benefits of therapy stop.

The goal isn’t to ensure you keep coming back to therapy for the rest of your life. Rather, a good therapist will take the time to help you develop skills you can use on your own.

For example, if you have a tendency to take on too much, therapy can help you have a better understanding of why that is, but it can also teach you the skills needed to say “no.” Maybe you lack confidence or are a people-pleaser. Learning how to turn down some things that will overwhelm you will keep your plate from being overloaded.

One of the worst things you can do is to ignore the way you’re feeling. We live in a society that tends to have a tough mentality, especially when it comes to getting mental health help. We’ve been “programmed” to deal with our own feelings and not complain about things.

But, if you’re feeling burnt out by work, family, or life in general, the last thing you should do is keep it to yourself. If you’re interested in learning more about how therapy can help, feel free to contact me.